it's daft to think parents with kids in private school have money to burn?

[Popgoestheweaselagain]

Just got asked by my school what would be the impact if they had to pay VAT, adding 20% to fees. My response was 'I'd try to keep my child in the school, but ....'. I think almost all parents would respond this way. Alarmed, did a quick google, and found this is Labour policy. Next time they come knocking at my door looking for my vote, I'll be telling them why they can't have it!

Now, I understand why some people are ideologically opposed to private schools, the unfariness etc. But when I hear this argument that goes something like 'Those people must have loads of money because they send their kids to private school' it kind of annoys me. Money is finite. If you've spent all your money on school fees, you obviously don't have it anymore!

Private healthcare is not VAT exempt though. One thing is it's existance, another is it being subsidised by the state through tax benefits.

I have to say this policy really encourages me to vote labour.

It's a terrible labour policy that will only serve to deepen inequality.

All it will do is mean education at certain schools becomes unaffordable for families that can only barely afford it, AND it would mean the end of bursaries and scholarships for those that can't.

It's typical Labour populist class warfare, and will have the opposite effect that they want.

Sorry, I may be wrong based on a PP - I don't know what the position is, but I would also support VAT on private healthcare if there isn't.

Sorry, how will it increase inequality? Because a few select students who wouldn't be able to afford it can get in? What about the rest?

Some people on here really lack empathy for anyone else's perspective.

If your child is happy at a private school then of course you don't want to have to move them. All the upheaval etc.

It's not the kids fault that their parents chose to send them to a private school.

Some posters really can't see the human impact of this at all and just trot out 'well some people have to go to foodbanks'.

In the same way private school parents need to realise some people can't afford to buy food some other posters need to realise that private school kids are kids and have feelings.

I hope you are all so anti church and grammar schools and would advocate state allocation via a lottery.

My other DS went to a state school, I don't know anyone in my circle of friends who think it is slumming it, most people dont feel that way. However there is a super selective private school in our area and many of the parents/kids there definitely would think that though. My DSs school is £3.5k a term so not in the same league as some discussed on here. 20% is still a lot of money.

Britain's Poorest Households Pay More Of Their Income in Tax Than The Richest

I am in a very fortunate position, and could afford to educate both my children privately without any difficulty if I wanted to.
I don't want to. That's because I don't support a two tier system that is fundamentally wrong and would further worsen the divide.
It's disingenuous to state that everyone would buy their child advantage if they could. We're not all motivated by the same things.

If everyone took their children out of private school and into a state school it would be wonderful. The current buildings could be opened up as state schools with a local catchment.
All those rich parents could instead contribute to state school fundraising events. Their obvious investment and involvement in their children’s education would aid state schools to improve facilities greatly.

What a strange position that would be with respect of school fees.

Foreign students would be VAT exempt under VAT law therefore the grand wealthy elite boarding schools would be unaffected by charging VAT. UK students would affected and would pay VAT and also pay income tax in the UK too.

Maybe the rich people would be happier to pay more tax for decent schools if they actually had to use them. Ditto healthcare.

I don't know how it works in your country but a lot of private schools in the US and Canada have programs for less privileged children but their parents still end up paying for the cost of uniforms and supplies and such. So yes it is strange to assume they all have a ton of money.

I think that's probably right. There are, of course, some parents (not many) that do seem to have bottomless bank accounts. But what labour tend to do is tax the same people over and over again, while the rich either absorb the extra 20% or find loop holes. It then become really difficult for people to measurably improve their quality of life. But if you point this out, you're accused of moaning and being insensitive to the people with not enough to pay tax in the first place. I didn't complain about the heating bill rise in school fees (because it's insensitive), but most people don't have £3000 (per child) dropped down the back of the sofa.

I would not paid as a matter of principle. Enough of taxes. The Labour Party will be a government of hate and envy. Time to go and thank god we can. Feel sorry for the teachers and people employed in private schools. Many people will leave as the majority are international families. However, Labour winning is not a done deal.

This is another thing to add to the list of reasons not to vote labour for me, no matter how bad the conservatives are right now.

I can’t agree with political points that come from envy, don’t make sense and are just like a dig at people who’ve done well for themselves.

The few people I know with children at private school have made that choice because they have fair reason to believe that the state options available to them aren’t going to adequately meet their child’s educational needs or their need for enough hours of childcare.

These people are already saving the government money by not using state provision. It is children's education FFS, something that is a legal requirement and an obvious need. It is not something that should be taxed.

Im still confused about why university should be free and private school should be VATed. They are both optional, therefore under the arguments made they are both luxurys therefore both should be VATed or neither should be VATed?

Excellent,well done Labour Party ,thanks for letting me know ..I might have a look at what else labour are suggesting,it’s a great idea

So what is a poor parent to do who also "have fair reason to believe that the state options available to them aren’t going to adequately meet their child’s educational needs or their need for enough hours of childcare"? Or are they less worthy because their parents are less well off?

This policy will make sure I don't vote labour in the GE. Honest to god that party HATES anyone that does well for themselves.

Not sure they State could afford all the extra children it would have to educate!!! Has anyone thought about the limited funding? The increased class sizes, the salaries to pay etc etc

If you can’t afford it, you can’t afford it. Get over it and yourself then move on. Hardly the fault of anyone else if you’ve overstretched yourself financially.

I’m sure it’s all your Labour candidate will be thinking about once you tell them your views 😁

As a commercial lawyer dealing with multiple business to business contracts every day, I can assure you that businesses pay VAT!

Because there are professions that society needs that are impossible without a university education. Free university education is a continuation of state education. And if it is free, and grants for poor students are available, the only barrier to accessing it is ability. So it's fair.

I don't think that a small proportion of the 7% (possibly an overestimate due to children coming from overseas) that go to private school transferring into the state system is going to flood the system.